A battle for power in the European Parliament is already underway — though quietly for now — with the midterm reshuffle a year away. Behind the scenes, MEPs are counting votes, testing alliances and positioning themselves for the presidency and other top jobs.
On this episode of the Brussels Playbook Podcast, host Zoya Sheftalovich is joined by senior European politics editor Ian Wishart to unpack the maneuvering — and what it means for Roberta Metsola, the far right and the balance of power in Brussels and Strasbourg.
They also examine how debates over trans rights are gaining visibility in Brussels, and why those arguments are increasingly intertwined with broader transatlantic political dynamics.
Plus: Can parts of Brexit be quietly softened for British students and touring musicians?
And with latte prices creeping north of €5 in some places, Zoya and Ian want to know: Where’s the best coffee in Brussels? You can reach us at our WhatsApp number, +32 491 05 06 29 — send us your favorites.
**A message for Amazon: Today’s episode is presented by Amazon. Sixty percent of sales on Amazon come from independent sellers. Across Europe, over two hundred and eighty thousand Small and Medium Enterprises partner with Amazon to grow their business. Learn more at Aboutamazon.eu. **
<img src="https://www.mtlblog.com/media-library/via-rail-headquarters-in-montreal.jpg?id=60463437&width=1200&height=600&coordinates=0%2C12%2C0%2C12"/><br/><br/><p>If you're <a href="https://www.mtlblog.com/tag/montreal-jobs" target="_blank">job hunting in Montreal</a> and have a passion for railways, <a href="https://www.mtlblog.com/tag/via-rail" target="_blank">VIA Rail Canada</a> is currently offering several exciting career opportunities in the city.</p><p>With salaries as high as $106,000 a year, the available positions range from engineering and project management to customer experience and operations. Many of them require specific training or certifications, but some are accessible with just a college diploma and relevant experience. </p><p>With that in mind, here's a look at some VIA Rail jobs currently open in Montreal — and what you need to apply.</p><h3><span></span>VIA Rail Job Openings in Montreal</h3><h3>Electrical Engineer</h3><br/><ul><li><strong>Location</strong>: Montreal, QC</li><li><strong>Salary</strong>: $86,366 – $106,687 per year</li><li><strong>Requirements</strong>:<ul><li>University degree in electrical engineering</li><li>Registered member of the Ordre des ingénieurs du Québec</li><li>Minimum of 5 years of experience in electrical engineering</li><li>Proficiency in AutoCAD and Microsoft Office</li><li>Bilingual in English and French</li></ul></li><li><strong>Responsibilities</strong>: Design and improve electrical systems for rolling stock, oversee deployment of solutions, and provide technical support across departments.</li></ul><div><a href="https://careers.viarail.ca/job/MONTREAL-Electrical-Engineer-Queb-H3K-3K2/586757917/" target="_blank">More info</a></div><h3>Advisor, Capital Projects</h3><br/><ul><li><strong>Location</strong>: Montreal, QC</li><li><strong>Salary</strong>: $77,112 – $95,256 per year</li><li><strong>Requirements</strong>:<ul><li>Recognized accounting title (CPA) or relevant experience</li><li>Minimum of 5 years in financial analysis</li><li>Excellent knowledge of Microsoft Excel and Office suite</li><li>Bilingual in English and French</li></ul></li><li><strong>Responsibilities</strong>: Monitor and control capital expenditures, develop financial reporting tools, and ensure compliance with accounting standards.</li></ul><div><a href="https://careers.viarail.ca/job/MONTREAL-Advisor%2C-Capital-Projects-Queb-H3B-2C9/592386417/" target="_blank">More info</a></div><h3>Advisor, Pricing & Revenue Management</h3><br/><ul><li><strong>Location</strong>: Montreal, QC</li><li><strong>Salary</strong>: $77,112 – $95,256 per year</li><li><strong>Requirements</strong>:<ul><li>Bachelor's degree in management science, economics, statistics, or related field</li><li>3 years of experience in revenue management</li><li>Proficiency in Microsoft Office suite</li><li>Bilingual in English and French</li></ul></li><li><strong>Responsibilities</strong>: Implement and maintain pricing structures, evaluate pricing strategies, and participate in projects related to commercial needs</li></ul><div><a href="https://careers.viarail.ca/job/MONTREAL-Advisor%2C-Pricing-&-Revenue-Management-Queb-H3B-2C9/592880417/" target="_blank">More info</a></div><h3>Project Manager</h3><br/><ul><li><strong>Location</strong>: Montreal, QC</li><li><strong>Salary</strong>: $86,366 – $106,687 per year</li><li><strong>Requirements</strong>:<ul><li>Minimum of 6 years of experience, including 5 years in IT project management</li><li>PMP certification</li><li>Knowledge of Agile and SCRUM methodologies</li><li>Bilingual in English and French</li></ul></li><li><strong>Responsibilities</strong>: Manage IT and business projects, establish project governance frameworks, and ensure timely delivery of projects. <span><a href="https://careers.viarail.ca/job/MONTREAL-Project-Manager-Queb-H3B-2C9/592591217/?utm_source=chatgpt.com" target="_blank"></a></span></li></ul><div><a href="https://careers.viarail.ca/job/MONTREAL-Project-Manager-Queb-H3B-2C9/592591217/" target="_blank">More info</a></div><h3>Project Engineer</h3><br/><ul><li><strong>Location</strong>: Montreal, QC</li><li><strong>Salary</strong>: $86,366 – $106,687 per year</li><li><strong>Requirements</strong>:<ul><li>Bachelor’s degree in Engineering</li><li>Minimum of 5 years of relevant experience</li><li>Experience with manufacturing suppliers or contractors</li><li>Bilingual in English and French</li></ul></li><li><strong>Responsibilities</strong>: Develop engineering plans, monitor project progress, and liaise between engineering and project management teams.<span><a href="https://careers.viarail.ca/job/MONTREAL-Project-Engineer-Queb-H3K-3K2/592880117/?utm_source=chatgpt.com" target="_blank"></a></span></li></ul><div><a href="https://careers.viarail.ca/job/MONTREAL-Project-Engineer-Queb-H3K-3K2/592880117/" target="_blank">More info</a></div><h3>Senior Officer, Procurement</h3><br/><ul><li><strong>Location</strong>: Montreal, QC</li><li><strong>Salary</strong>: $86,366 – $106,687 per year</li><li><strong>Requirements</strong>:<ul><li>Bachelor's degree in administration, supply chain, logistics, or engineering</li><li>5–7 years of experience in procurement</li><li>Strong sourcing and negotiation skills</li><li>Bilingual in English and French</li></ul></li><li><strong>Responsibilities</strong>: Manage sourcing and procurement activities, prepare RFQs, and oversee supplier performance.</li></ul><div><a href="https://careers.viarail.ca/job/MONTREAL-Senior-Officer%2C-Procurement-Queb-H3K-3K2/592540317/" target="_blank">More info</a></div><h3>Social Media Intern</h3><br/><ul> <li><strong>Location:</strong> Montreal, QC</li><li><strong>Salary:</strong> $19 – $22 per hour</li><li><strong>Requirements:</strong><ul><li>Currently enrolled in or recently graduated from a Bachelor's or Master's program<br/></li><li>Experience creating content for platforms like Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and LinkedIn</li><li>Proficiency with Canva, CapCut, and basic video/photo editing tools</li><li>Strong writing skills in both French and English</li></ul></li><li><strong>Responsibilities:</strong> Support VIA Rail's brand on social media by creating engaging posts, assisting with content planning, and tracking performance analytics.</li></ul><div><a href="https://careers.viarail.ca/job/MONTREAL-Social-Media-Intern-Queb-H3B-2C9/592864117/" target="_blank">More info</a></div> <p><br/></p><h3></h3><p>For more information and the full list of positions across the country, you can visit <a href="https://careers.viarail.ca/" target="_blank">VIA Rail's careers page</a>.</p><p><br/></p><p><em>Love this? Check out our <a href="https://www.mtlblog.com/notices/" target="_blank">MTL Blog noticeboard</a> for details on jobs, benefits, travel info and more!</em></p><p><br/></p><p><em>AI tools may have been used to support the creation or distribution of this content; however, it has been carefully edited and fact-checked by a member of MTL Blog's Editorial team. For more information on our use of AI, please visit our <a href="https://www.mtlblog.com/editorial-standards" target="_blank">Editorial Standards page</a>.</em></p><p><br/></p>